Keyswench After BLUE MAX ADVENTURES: 2014/05

Leaving St. Augustine on 4/14, we stopped for fuel for the dinghy & filled up the water tanks.

Ponce Lighthouse

It was too rough to travel outside so, about noon, we headed south on the ICW & anchored in North Daytona at 6:45pm. The next day it took only 2 hours to get to a wonderful anchorage at Rockhouse Creek, West of Ponce Inlet - Yahoo!!

We immediately put the dinghy in & loaded my bucket, cast net, tackle box, fishing pole & the 'kids' & off to the beach we went. It was very windy - the sand covered everything but we didn't care - we were finally at a beach! The wind was so strong it interfered with throwing the cast net - I didn't care.

This was taken in calmer water but I still didn't get any bait - no bait-no fishing

Big surf on the Atlantic (taken with my zoom from the anchorage)

Something made us look up & around - Huge, dark & ominous clouds were moving in - drat! we quickly packed up & returned to the 'mother ship' just in time to avoid heavy rain & wind. Unfortunately, this weather continued for the next 3 days.
On 4/19 we woke to, what looked like, might be a nice day. We packed up the dinghy again & headed for the beach. Since it was Saturday, there were lots of boats & people there.


The pups sure knew where to go....damn beggars!

These 'kids' (the human kids) brought enough food & extras to feed everyone on the beach. They said, "help yourself" - we did. Nothing like burgers, hot dogs & brat on the grill.

These 'kids' brought all kinds of good stuff to the beach

We had just about enough of the crappy weather so, on 4/21 we pulled anchor & headed north to Daytona Beach. Yes, north - go figure - but only 1 -1/2 hours worth. It was cold & very windy with white caps on the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway). We saw this really unusual boat on the way.


AMARA ZEE

I knew I saw this boat somewhere before, so I checked the April issue of All at Sea & there she was. She's a traveling troubadour-having shows in different ports.

We took a slip at the Halifax Harbor Marina - owned by the city. One of the nicest & largest we've been to. I think there are 450 slips; 4 large bath houses; a beautiful & relaxing park on the Halifax river; free pump out, fishing pier & a restaurant/bar on the premises (Blue Grotto). For you cruising boaters: Daily rate, $1.70/ft; weekly rate, $10/ft. (a bit pricey)


BLUE MAX @ a 'T' dock

The park is huge with lots of paths & plenty of shady spots to sit & watch the boats go by.

Laurel visited on the 25th but could only stay overnight. Kathryn couldn't make it.
If you read the blog "Aug. 18 to April 2nd" I wrote about a magazine called "All At Sea". I sent a picture of me holding the magazine. Well, Terry, the editor, was true to her word...she posted my picture along with my note. Laurel brought 5 copies of the magazine for me.


Am I famous now ???

We had dinner on the boat then went to the Blue Grotto (located on the marina property)to socialize. Saturday morning, Laurel & I tried to find a thrift store, but alas, they were either closed or out of business. We dropped Wayne off at the Marine re-sale store - a dangerous place to leave him alone. After refilling our wine/liquor supply at ABC, Laurel had to leave for home. Wayne & I walked downtown & had the very best, handmade burger @ Scuttlebutt's.
It was Reggae Sunday @ the Blue Grotto.

The Blue Grotto (West Marine used to be in this building as well)

It was their 1st Sunday trying this venue.

We had been waiting all week for our mail to be delivered from our mail service, but by Monday the 28th, when it was time to check out, the mail truck hadn't arrived. We were sure it would be delivered that day so we left the slip, went to the fuel dock for a pump-out. They let us hang out there while waiting for the mail. After an hour or so, no mail person - we moved the boat again & docked at the Blue Grotto & had their $7 lunch while waiting. End of the day, no mail. We moved & anchored across from the marina in the Halifax river. While there, a severe storm came through - winds clocking about 40 knots. Between the wind & the currents shifting us around, it bent our anchor.

I checked the mail service web site & found all my mail sitting in the "send" file; I called - a screw up on their part....the mail & packages were packed up & sent overnight at their expense. We returned to the marina office & the dock hand delivered the package right to the boat. We left Daytona on 4/30 about 3:30 & anchored back in Rockhouse Creek at 5pm just in time for another huge storm. On the 2nd, I woke up not feeling quite right...I spent the day in bed...what a waste of a day, but it did rain all day. Another day the Goodyear blimp floated by...then it turned around & seemed to be plummeting towards earth. Obviously, it didn't crash or my pictures would probably be worth something so I'm guessing he was just showing off ??

Wayne's been working on the electrical system involving the inverters, alternators & other 'stuff' I only have a vague idea what does what...I just know he spends hours in the engine room. Our days pass quickly & hard to know what we've done?? But the weather cleared, the sun came out, the wind died down & off to the beach for another fun-filled day.

It was hard to find a space to beach the dinghy

Scupper's always in my bait bucket!

This time I netted the perfect bait - but, alas, no fish...drat!!

Jack's new past-time - chasing & barking at all the waves coming ashore

The 'kids' finally stopped to rest

Out like a light

On 5/5 (Cinco de Mayo) I got an email from Juanito Rosaria, a nice guy we met at the Blue Grotto bar, asking if we could meet him at Hidden Treasure bar/restaurant at Ponce Inlet. Yummy wings!

It was a short, but tricky ride back to the boat especially at dusk.


Ponce park & Lighthouse We left the area, heading south on 5/8 which happens to be the anniversary when my parents brought me home in 1947 & adopted me. We celebrated that day every year when they were still with me. We took a dock in New Smyrna Beach Marina as the monthly car show was taking place on Saturday, 5/10. In addition, Donna & Ken, my friends of 30 years, were back from vacation. YEA! We've been here before & love the little town.

We had dinner with Donna & Ken & two other couples at 'That's Amore', a delicious Italian restaurant. They go every Thursday night & if we're lucky to be there on a Thursday, we join them.

Somehow we're always moving around & hardly get a good picture


Joe plays awesome music @ That's Amore

After dinner, we wandered over to "Peanuts", a bar near the beach. Other than the band, I think we may have been in oldest people in the joint


These "old guys" were awesome!!

The next day, Juanito drove down bringing strawberries & a watermelon. He took us to a restaurant on the beach side called 'The Garlic'. From the moment we entered the cozy, tree lined entrance our senses were in overdrive.

Welcoming entrance

The air was filled with subtle smells of quality cheeses, garlic & something else I couldn't identify; Visually, it was the most tastefully & ecletic combination of old world & today.

This area is situated just as you walk down the tree covered walk & where all the yummy steaks are cooked.

My pictures can't adequately show its' ambiance.

This seemed to be a prep area-I also saw them making salads, bread & apps. Next to the piled up bread is a big bowl of baked garlic...The smells were orgasmic!

The draw to this restaurant today? Free, hot appetizers of ziti, calamari, jalapeno slices with cheese & sauce,tmeatballs with marinara & fresh bread with roasted garlic. A very smart friend told me a long time ago, a restaurant is just a restaurant but the goal is to leave your customers with a memory they'll never forget. I had many memories of The Garlic but especially that they put the specials on a lasagna noodle....very creative.

Daily Specials

Juanito took us food shopping a Publics just down the street- good thing we were stuffed before shopping.

Donna was busy on Mother's Day weekend so, sadly, we didn't get to see her again. We said good-bye to New Smyrna on 5/11 & anchored in Mosquito Lagoon which is just north of Titusville & Cape Canaveral. Our intention was to go to the beach at the National Seashore, a National Park. But the wind wouldn't quit & so many rules at a park WE own, or so that's what the government tells us. There was a huge storm on the 15th - lots of thunder, lightening & wind. It became quite scary.

We were running out of coffee creamer, OJ, wine, vodka & rum, so on the 17th we docked at the Titusville city marina. Nice marina made even nicer since we were here a few years ago. They now have a "Cruiser's Caravan" to take you to the food store & other places. Save-a-Lot is the local food store - very quaint & very limited - however, their meat section is awesome! I also needed to go to ABC liquor store which, on the map seemed kinda close. I stopped at the office before walking there to inquire about the van - Jim said to give him a call & he'd pick me up @ the grocery & take me to ABC cuz it was pretty far away. We first met Jim at the boat yard while he was working on his sailboat- such a dear man. He helped me with the groceries then came into ABC & lugged the wine, beer & liquor into the van & out of the van & into the cart at the marina. Then he pushed the heavy load down the dock to the boat & put everything onto the boat. Then the task I hate - put everything away. In the meantime, Wayne was sitting in the shade at the dog park.

To be continued....ICW to Ft Lauderdale

We left Jacksonville Landings on 4/5 about 3pm with Laurel on board. A few hours later, we anchored by Blunt Island for happy hour, dinner & dominoes. Beautiful night.

Winnie & her 'kids' underway

We pulled anchor at 9am, arrived in St. Augustine & tied up to a mooring ball about 3pm. Another beautiful day.

The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States

Beautiful Flagler College in the background

This is a very boater-friendly town. With a mooring ball, a free water taxi that runs every 2 hours from 10 - 6pm; free pump-out & water. Laurel's friend, Kathy, drove down to pick her up. Since we thought we'd be in town later than 6pm, we decided to take the dinghy ashore. Our brand new battery was deader' than a doornail!

We quickly called for the water taxi - a very nice pontoon boat. We met Kathy at the A1A restaurant for dinner & managed to get on the last taxi run of the day.

Wayne went on the boater's net asking for a ride to Napa Auto store. A very kind boater drove him & he easily exchanged the dead with a new battery.

There was intermittent rain the next few days which kept us on board. On Thursday, we attended the Cruiser's Net group happy hour at Mehan's Irish Pub - we took Scupper & Jack - a mistake...Jack is still learning social skills - I wish he'd hurry up already!

Laurel returned on Saturday but left on Palm Sunday before the 'Blessing of the Fleet'. She missed all the fun. This is an event I didn't know about & was excited to be a part of. The local newspaper created a slide show of the event. If interested, I think you'll have to copy & paste the link below.

http://staugustine.com/slideshow/2014-04-14/slideshow-blessing-fleet#slide-10

The boats had to line up in front of the bridge. Unfortunately, it was windy & there was a strong outgoing current which made maneuvering, for all boats, difficult. Amazingly, I didn't hear of one crash.